Optometric referrals: towards a two way flow of information?

Evans, BJW, Harle, DE ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5888-0019 and Cocco, B. 2005. Optometric referrals: towards a two way flow of information? British Journal of Ophthalmology 89 , 1663. 10.1136/bjo.2005.075531

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Abstract

Community optometrists in the United Kingdom carry out 17.2 million primary eyecare examinations per annum,1 which result in at least 0.5 million referrals to the hospital eye service.2,3 Optometrists only infrequently receive a reply to these referrals,4,5 possibly because 69% are handwritten on GOS18 forms,6 which can lack legibility6 and details.5 Most optometrist initiated referrals take place via general practitioners (GPs), who are increasingly likely to forward the optometrist’s letter.6 We improved our referrals and audited the replies. Methods The Institute of Optometry set minimum criteria for referrals in 2004 by typing letters on headed notepaper, including the practitioner’s name, enclosing a second copy for the GP to forward to the ophthalmologist, and including text which explicitly requested a reply. In February–April 2005 we audited referrals from 2004. Handwritten emergency referrals, which make up less than 1% of referrals, were not included. Results There were 181 referrals following 7164 eye examinations, 51% were female, and the reasons for referral are given in figure 1. The provisional diagnoses for the “other” category include a wide range of conditions, all with a prevalence of less than 3%.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Optometry and Vision Sciences
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:	0007-1161
Date of Acceptance:	24 July 2005
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2024 17:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/165207

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